Mehuli Ghosh is an Indian sport shooter. She joined the Serampore Rifle Club in 2014. She received her training at the Joydeep Karmarkar Shooting Academy. In 2016, she was selected for the Indian National Shooting Championships held in Pune. She received two gold medals and seven silver medals at the national championships. In the 2017 National Championships, Mehuli won eight gold and three bronze medals and was judged Best Shooter. In 2019, she won gold at the South Asian Games in Nepal.
Ghosh was awarded the title of “Female Young Athlete of the Year” award at the Sportstar Aces Awards in 2020.
In Air Rifle Mixed Team at Changwon Shooting World Cup(2022), Mehuli Ghosh, and Shahu Tushar Mane won gold for India.
She is currently ranked 1st in India’s senior team.
Catch Ms. Namita Nayyar in conversation with shooting champion, Ms. Mehuli Ghosh.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
You have been mentored and coached by former Indian Olympic finalist and Arjuna Awardee, Joydeep Karmarkar. Please share the series of events that lead you to take up shooting at a competitive level.
Ms. Mehuli Ghosh
When I was a kid I used to watch Olympics on television. I really used to like watching all kinds of sports. In 2008 I saw Abhinav Bindra win Olympic gold in rifle shooting. From that very moment I started imagining myself participating and winning a medal at the Olympics, my fascination with rifles and pistols gave me clear clarity when I got to know I can also learn rifle shooting. Later when I finally tried my hands on shooting my love for shooting grew and I knew I wanted to do it professionally.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
You have represented India at international junior shooting championships across the world. Share your first win ever and how that event changed your life.
Ms. Mehuli Ghosh
I won my first international medal at the Asian Airgun championship, in 2017 in Japan. That was also my first international gold medal and also won the quota for the youth Olympics. I also topped the qualification round. I still remember the feeling of those goosebumps I got. The final was very cutthroat with two Chinese shooters coming 2nd and 3rd.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
In 2015, at a training session, you accidentally ended up hitting a person during practice and were suspended. Would you like to share some tips for beginners to avoid such instances?
Ms. Mehuli Ghosh
The only thing I can say for beginners is to get assistance from coaches or senior shooters around you. Train only under guidance and keep your rifle in check every month if not every week.
In March 2018, you became one of the youngest competitors from India ever to win two World Cup medals at the ISSF World Cup, in Mexico and created a Junior World Record on the way to winning there. To whom and what would you like to attribute the reason behind your success? Please also talk about the hurdles you faced.
I would like to give the credit to my parents and coaches of course and also my younger self for keep fighting those hardships she faced every day if that be managing school and practice, training those days when I wanted to take rest, training when all my friends went for vacation, eat healthy when everybody around me had delicious outside food or waking up at 5.30 am to go to the gym before school and many more. All those hard work was worth it.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
You were awarded the title of “Female Young Athlete of the Year” award at the Sportstar Aces Awards in 2020. Your family & friend’s responses to the same
Ms. Mehuli Ghosh
My friends and family are always very happy whenever I win something or get an award. They all are very supportive and helpful.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Your daily fitness routine? What kind of workout routine do you follow?
Ms. Mehuli Ghosh
My workout routine changes whenever I am close to any competition. I have my fitness trainer and physio from the Olympic Gold Quest team who makes the necessary changes.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Your daily diet routine? 5 Foods you like to eat & avoid?
Ms. Mehuli Ghosh
I try to have healthy food and a good amount of protein. My nutritionist provides me with the diet mentioning portions and supplements.
I also like to have home-cooked meals especially typical Bengali food. And I try to avoid outside junk food which I don’t like as well and also I try to avoid sweets even though I love sweets.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Tips for beginners and upcoming athletes to achieve success in sports?
Ms. Mehuli Ghosh
I can say that don’t run behind success if you love your sport spend time trying to gain knowledge and learn the skills spend a good amount of time with your sport success will come you just have to believe in yourself. No one wins an Olympic medal in 1 year. Having fun that’s more important even if you are successful.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Mehuli you recently won India’s second gold medal in the ongoing ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun stage. Congrats! Share the competition and your feelings after winning.
Ms. Mehuli Ghosh
The competition with team Hungary was a tough one both of the shooters are very talented and one of them recently played Tokyo Olympics. So winning that match with a perfect 10.9 shot at the end was truly satisfying.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Motivation quote you live by.
Ms. Mehuli Ghosh
There’s no limitation to working hard and smart, so keep doing until you reach your goal.